Once called "The Jimi Hendrix of Jazz" So why isn't he Famous

[@GreggBennett-j3p]

I saw Michael at Carnegie Hall ages ago with the late great Roy Hargrove and Herbie Hancock in a sort of Miles themed show. At one point the rest of the band stepped back and Michael walked out to the ft edge of the stage and addressed Carnegie hall without a microphone. You could literally have heard a pin drop. He said he’d always wanted to play, unamped, solo, at Carnegie hall. He then proceeded to play some wonderful music (can’t remember exactly what he played). Until the applause came, the audience was as quiet as I’ve ever witnessed in many years of attending concerts there. Truly magical. Rip Michael (and Roy, of course).

[@BGdrummer]

Wait wut?? He IS famous. He's one of the most respected sax players ever. He just didn't play rock. The headline is utterly baffling, but thanks for highlighting a great player!

[@MichaelMannino-hy2fe]

I’ve never heard Hendrix in person, though my father did and told me it was insane, mind bending , nothing like it. I have heard brecker play at Carnegie hall for a Coltrane tribute. I guess I thought he was going to be technical and like a robot, and maybe he was; yet his sound and presence was overwhelming; very pleased to experience it.

[@jamesconnors5653]

Brecker is a giant.

[@moussegarbonzo8352]

Michael Becker is probably one of the more well known names in Jazz of the last 40 or so years. He was an excellent player, and maybe he was comparable to Jimmie Hendrix, but I don't think he was comparable to Jimi Hendrix.

[@MrGolyat1]

All they had to do is listen to him and they could see how good he was

[@howardrussell3919]

Okay, who comes up with stuff? Anyone who listens to music on a consistent basis knows who Mike Brecker was. Hell, I've been on him since the 70's. Go back and listen to those early Rick James albums. Mike and his brother Randy were the go to horn section on many of the funk/R&B records of that time frame as The Brecker Brothers. Check some of Michael Franks early albums. Same thing; Mike Brecker was all over a lot of Franks' songs. The clincher for me was a McCoy Tyner album called Infinity. There's a John Coltrane song on it called Impressions. Mike kills on that song. That's when I knew he was a great sax player. No one can be compared to Hendrix, except maybe Trane....!

[@generalgau1]

I think you mean JOHN COLTRANE. Trane was the real innovator and revolutionary. He developed sheets of sound, not Brecker. Brecker took Trane's licks and cleaned things up, playing with better intonation (tuning), for example. Yes, Brecker played different KINDS of music, recorded more and lived longer. But he was content to be a a studio musician and sideman most of his career before putting out his own recordings late in his tragically short life. Jazz recordings. Which is why he's not as well known as Hendrix. Heck, he's not as well known as Trane. But unless you live under a rock, you've heard his music. He was the original tenor player on SNL and featured soloist on Paul Simon's Graceland tour, to name only two gigs.

[@MrGigatone]

Exactly. Thanks

[@stevel6895]

Trane was nothing without Johnny Hodges, Charlie Parker, Earl Bostic and all the others who's backs he climbed up on. Brecker was no different. We all look to others for inspiration and then in the end we become our own person.

[@MrGigatone]

@ Trane payed tribute to the great Dexter Gordon. Charlie Parker is the DNA of any jazz player not just Trane... listen Dexter Gordon and you ear clearly Trane.

[@kevinsplinter8595]

Cool. Thanks for sharing

[@williammorson1535]

He is famous snd unique. Just listen to him playing.

[@Gminor7]

I have been a diehard jazz fan for over 50 years. From 1975-1979 (college years) I listened to almost nothing but Coltrane - probably got burned out on him & haven’t really listened to him since. So, when I heard Brecker I appreciated his fluency and technical brilliance, but it just sounded too much like Coltrane to me. For the past 45 years I’ve chosen Getz, Adderley, Desmond, Rollins, Dexter, Chet Baker, Clifford Brown, Wes Montgomery, Jim Hall, Jarrett, Bill Evans. I want to hear improvisation that sings melodies. Sorry, I know Michael is great but I’d rather be touched in my heart than impressed in my brain.

[@budda777pl]

Even I, as an amateur drummer know him.

[@fatheadthedog]

He IS very famous. Ask any saxist. It’s Jimi btw Thx

[@donaldanderson6604]

The Hendrix comparison makes no sense. Both were brilliant individuals who had their own distinctive voices but Brecker had a level of sophistication which is mind boggling.

[@Foxrock321]

You just said it…..he plays jazz..he’s not a pop idol…there are other tenor players whom I like listening to..Pete Chrislieb,..Bob Mintzer, Redmond, ect.

[@MrGigatone]

No way you can compare him to Jimi...you can compare,maybe,Coltrane and Jimi hendrix, Mike Brecker was an incredible musician, but not a Genius...Coltrane invented and discovered new lands. Brecker just went there and built some beautiful houses in the Coltrane land.

[@mishagasparovsky196]

Nonsense

[@rightchordleadership]

Bullshit. Mike extended the sax vocabulary beyond Coltrane; he didn't just "build houses in Coltrane land."

[@MrGigatone]

@@rightchordleadership 😂😂

[@MrGigatone]

@@rightchordleadership this is the problem with some white musicians, is it so hard to recognize who invented the real things in jazz and who just elaborate very well things that where already there??...Michael Brecker was still studying Coltrane till the end...can't compare him with The revolution in jazz language Coltrane did. You talk bullshit here sir...

[@mishagasparovsky196]

What do you mean he is not famous??? Anyone who knows music knows michael, one of greatest sax players ever. Man was genius